Aviva Premiership Team of the Week: Round 22

15. Mike Brown (Harlequins)
Who else would it be? The Quins fullback played brilliantly on Saturday, as he has done all season, getting on the scoresheet and beating six defenders, more than any other player on his team. The two Bens, Foden and Ransom, also deserve a shout out.

14. Ken Pisi (Northampton Saints)
One of the eight players that crossed the line for Northampton, Pisi was everywhere. He was always in support and he made five turnovers, a solid number for a winger. He’s been one of the most underrated players in the Premiership this season.

13. Manu Tuilagi (Leicester Tigers)
Manu sneaks in here ahead of another Saint in James Wilson. The centre was at his bulldozing best – he made three line breaks and crashed over from five yards to get a score. A cynical yellow for Jonny May is the reason he’s not picked.

12. Luther Burrell (Northampton Saints)
Burrell absolutely carved up the Wasps defence with a mixture of quick feet, pace and good old-fashioned running over the top of people. James O’Connor had a great game for Irish but imagine the impact a Burrell-Tuilagi midfield will have when England tour New Zealand.

11. George North (Northampton Saints)
Ken Pisi’s partner in crime crossed the try line twice and proved to be a real handful all day. He made over 100 metres, beat four defenders and broke the line three times in just four carries. A mention to Newcastle’s Sinoti Sinoti who was solid for the Falcons against Exeter.

10. George Ford (Bath)
He scored all of Bath’s 16 points including a superb solo effort, and made 20 carries and beat nine defenders, more than any other player from the rest of the weekend. Is he the man to fill the 10 shirt if Owen Farrell misses the first test in New Zealand?

9. Danny Care (Harlequins)
Lee Dickson and Ben Spencer may have got two tries apiece, but Care pulled all the strings for Quins. He was a real livewire on his feet and his great vision and pass set up Brown’s try. Tomas O’Leary also played well for London Irish.

1. Alex Waller (Northampton Saints)
The young prop has done a superb job this season filling in for Alex Corbisiero and he was in fine form again on Saturday, using his giant frame to help Saints score from two driving mauls. Could he be in with a chance of touring New Zealand?

2. Dave Ward (Harlequins)
Definitely one of the players of the season. It’s not just that his throwing is faultless and his hooking accurate, but his work around the park and his energy is up there with the best. He made 12 tackles on Saturday.

3. Fraser Balmain (Leicester Tigers)
When a prop doesn’t get subbed off, it’s usually a sign that he’s had a good game. Balmain troubled opposite man Rhys Gill all day and he made nine tackles and close to 100 metres from just five carries.

4. Michael Paterson (Sale Sharks)
Probably Sale’s best player this season, bar Danny Cipriani, and one of the in-form locks in the Premiership. Paterson was the go-to man in the lineout and he led from the front. Fellow Sale lock Andrei Ostrikov also had a good game.

5. Dave Attwood (Bath)
Eleven tackles for Attwood in a performance that will keep him in touching distance of Courtney Lawes, Joe Launchbury and Geoff Parling for an England lock place. Attwood was everywhere for Bath and he carried well, as well as showing good hands.

6. Maro Itoje (Saracens)
Remember the name. The 19 year old did not look out of place on his Premiership debut and he even set up a try. He’s quick, powerful and agile, and he made 12 tackles and beat three defenders. This guy will be a future England international, there’s no doubt about that.

7. Pablo Matera (Leicester Tigers)
Another youngster in the backrow that impressed this week. Matera carried hard and regularly and kept the Saracens on their toes all game. He even kicked and who doesn’t love it when a forward kicks?

8. Phil Dowson (Northampton Saints)
I’m cheating here because Dowson played at seven but his two tries helped smash Wasps to pieces. Northampton heads could have gone down when they found themselves 13 points behind but captain Dowson rallied his men and they blew their opposition away. Nick Easter and Thomas Waldrom also played well.

Nice too see Itoje get a mention there. He really is a talent, and I’m hoping he stays at Sarries. He normally plays at lock for the U20’s, but is quite at home in the back row. A big guy with great pace and strength, but as demonstrated on Saturday a great pair of hands as well.